Daily Republican., 1887-07-15
RATHER A PECULIAR ERxAND.

front of an old established jewelry
store on Fulton street one day not long
ago. A tall man with very pale face
and mourniul eyes alighted and
walked into the store. All the clerks
were at once upon the alert to serve
him. He was elegantly but quietly
dressed. and carried himself easily and
gracefully. He had handsome face,
with clear cut features, and rather
long black mustache, but his eyes
were particularly attractive from their
peculiarly sad expression.
II would like to see the proprietor
he said in quiet, manly voice.
"a good looking young man, with
q joyial twinkle in his brown eyes,
stepped forward. "What is it | can
do for your" he inquired.
milne is rather peculiar errand,"
said the stranger. "a short time ago
| bought very elegant pair OF dia-
monds. intending to give them TO my
wife to have made into pair OF ear
rings" Here his voice became very
soft, and he with difficulty concealed
his emotion. 'Since then,' he con-
tinued in firmer tones, my wife has
died. Her Illness dated from the time
she received tho diamonds, and l am
sufficiently superstitious to connect the
diamonds with that sad event. / am
therefore desirous OF getting rid OF
them as speedily as possible, and am
willing 10 make sacrifice in doing
So"
As he spoke the jeweler watched
him closely. The stranger drew a
small package from his pocket and
handed it to the isweler. The latter
quickly opened it, and two large and
brilliant stones rolled out on the show
case. The jeweler examined then,
closely. well, don't know about
buying them," he said." How much
do you want for them?"
"Well," said the man, obviously, 81
paid 1000 for them. l am willing,
in order to get rid of them right away,
to sell them for 81, 200."
The ieweler smiled slightly.
"Where did you buy them?" he in
quired at length.
"At Tiffany's," was the reply.
The jeweler continued to toy will
the diamonds, and signs of nervous
ness began to show themselves in tht
face of their owner.
"You are quite sure that you paid
$2. 900 tor them?" said the jeweler
suddenly, looking the man full in tht
face. The latter started and turned 9
shade paler
Certainly, that is, believe I did,
he stsmmered. 1T is some time ago
and have been so upset by my afflic
ton sine, then that may have forgot
ten the exact price"
lyon live in town, presume, 'con
tinued the jeweler, still keeping hi
gaze firmly fixed on his customer
face.
"Yes-,hat is. no; l don't Just a
present. l did live at the Windsor.
am living with some friends in tn
country just now.'
"Quite sure about that, aren't your
said the jeweler in quizzing tone.
By this time the stranger had be
come very weak in the legs and NOR
or less shaky all over. His hand
trembled violently despite all efforts t
control them, ana his face was whit
and drawn. Gathering himself to
gether he said, in o tone OF pretende
Indignation, "What do you mean, sill
by that question? would not sell tn
diamonds to you now at any price.
Ibid not expect 10 be insulted when
|camc here. l will trouble you to re
turn my diamonds" and he put OF
his hand to take them.
"On. no." returned the jewelel
Iquietly smiling. "You are right /
Isaying that you will not sell them t
lme, but you will not take them ava
Ieither. Those diamonds are stolen.
| ITS lie," cried the man, his fet
lures contracting. "Give them to me.
| The ieweler did not move, but cor
ltinued to smile pleasantly. "If yo
wish l will call IN policeman" b
said.
| The fellow shrank back, and will
out another word ran out of the stor
IQuickly whispe ing to the coachma
he jumped into the cab and was rapi'
lily driven away.
"You had considerable nerve to III
mask that fellow" the reporter obser,
ed, "Why l took him for some ban
lpresident or retired Cr9sus from h
appea, ance and otyle of his turnout
The jeweler laughed. at is IL
the first time that such a thing h,
: happened" he said. "a jeweler
this city has continually to be ON tt
Iqui vive to avoid being taken in |
swindlers. had the same opinion
this man that you did until he begt
to tell me about these stones. AS sot
as he said that he had bought them
Tiffany's for $4,000 l knew they we
stolen.'
"Why?" asked the. reporter.
"Because Tiffany could not b,
them for that sum. Those jewels q
worth at least $4,000 at first col
THAT is the way we catch most thieve
I'VE ply them with questions about tt
I, Jewels they want to sell until they gi
themselves away"
| What do you do with the je,
Ielry?"
| "Wc try to find the rightful owner